Question

Difficulty: Very hardAccounting for Dependent Branches at Cost Price

Calabar Head Office operates a dependent branch in Uyo, invoicing all goods at cost price. For the year ended 31 December 2025, the following records were extracted from the branch accounting books:

Transaction DetailsAmount (₦)
Stock at branch (1 January 2025)45,000
Branch debtors (1 January 2025)28,000
Goods sent to branch320,000
Goods returned by branch to head office12,000
Cash received from branch debtors215,000
Cash sales at branch140,000
Credit sales at branch230,000
Returns inwards from branch debtors5,000
Bad debts written off at branch3,000
Discount allowed to branch debtors4,000
Branch operating expenses paid by head office38,000
Stock at branch (31 December 2025)58,000

Based on the information provided, what is the net profit earned by the Uyo branch for the year ended 31 December 2025?

Answer: 25000

Answer

The net profit earned by the Uyo branch for the year ended 31 December 2025 is ₦25,000.
The correct net profit is computed by preparing the Branch Account in the Head Office ledger. The Branch Account is credited with cash remitted (₦355,000), closing stock (₦58,000), and closing debtors (₦31,000), totaling ₦444,000. It is debited with opening stock (₦45,000), opening debtors (₦28,000), net goods sent to branch (₦308,000), and expenses paid by head office (₦38,000), totaling ₦419,000. The surplus of credits over debits represents the net profit of ₦25,000.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the closing balance of Branch Debtors Account
Closing Debtors = ₦31,000
Branch Debtors Account is debited with opening debtors (₦28,000) and credit sales (₦230,000), and credited with cash received (₦215,000), returns inwards (₦5,000), bad debts (₦3,000), and discount allowed (₦4,000). Balancing the account yields ₦31,000.
2
Calculate total cash remitted from branch to Head Office
Total Cash Remitted = ₦355,000
In a dependent branch system, all cash collected (cash sales of ₦140,000 plus collections from debtors of ₦215,000) is remitted directly to the head office.
3
Calculate net cost of goods supplied to the branch
Net Goods Sent = ₦308,000
Goods sent to branch (₦320,000) minus goods returned by branch to head office (₦12,000) gives the net inventory supplied at cost.
4
Compile the Branch Account to compute branch net profit
Net Profit = ₦25,000
Credit side (Cash Remitted ₦355,000 + Closing Stock ₦58,000 + Closing Debtors ₦31,000 = ₦444,000) minus Debit side (Opening Stock ₦45,000 + Opening Debtors ₦28,000 + Net Goods Sent ₦308,000 + Operating Expenses ₦38,000 = ₦419,000) leaves a net profit balance of ₦25,000.

Key Concept

Accounting for Dependent Branches at Cost Price
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